Stay Alert With A Nap?

It's the middle of the afternoon, you've been at work more than five hours, and you can't seem to stay awake let alone focus on your current task.

For many Americans, the scenario is all too familiar.

Bill Anthony, a psychologist who runs a research center at Boston University, and his wife, Camille, have authored a book, "The Art of Napping at Work" (Larson Publications; $10.95). Their research has showed that the majority of Americans need to nap.

"Many of us can't make it through the afternoon without our work being affected because we're tired," he says. He classifies naps into the categories of preventive, preparatory and pleasurable.

A recent study said that 16 percent of employers currently allow for naps.

"It's changing but there's a lot of resistance to that change," Anthony said. "A lot of people don't see napping and productivity going hand in hand. Your performance and mood improve after a nap."